Method and apparatus for vulcanizing



J. C. YOUNG.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1921.

1,390,005,, Patented Sept. 6, 19:21

FFICE.

JOHN CRESWELL YOUNG, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VULGANIZING.

saooos.

Application filed January 17, 1921.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN CnnsWnLL YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia,

have invented a new and useful Method and Apparatus for Vulcanizing, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for vulcanizing rubber, plastics, etc., in any form, but is for use more particularly in the building, re-building, re-treading and repairing of automobile tires and tubes.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of vulcanizing in which the absorption of moisture by the fabric of the article being vulcanized may be avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of vulcanizing in which dry heated air, either alone or mixed with the gaseous products of combustion or other gases, may be used directly to maintain the articles to be vulcanized at the desired temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful vulcanizing pot.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved vulcanizing pot in which the absorption of moisture by the fabric in the articles being vulcanized may be avoided.

A, further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved vulcanizing pot in which heated air, either alone or mixed with the gaseous products of combustion or other gases, may be used directly to maintain the articles undergoing vulcanization at the desired temperature.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the method and apparatus described in' the following specification and defined in the claims. The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a vulcanizing pot embodying a preferred form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional. plan view taken on the line A-B of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cover for the vulcanizing pot shown in Fig. 1.

As will be seen in Fig; #1, the tank portion of the pot (1) is of conical shape, the sides converging toward the top. Attached to the platform (2), also shown in Fig. #2, is an inverted cone (3) filled with asbestos (4). Supporting the platform are four Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921. Serial No. 437,975.

legs (5) attached with bolts also affording support for the tank. The burner 6), preferably gas, is placed directly beneath the opening (7) of the conical shaped bottom (8) of the tank. The burner (6) should be placed sufficiently low beneath the opening (7) so that the flame of burner (6) will mount to only one-third the distance between the top of burner (6) and the opening (7). This is to allow sufiicient draft space for admission of heated gases and emission of the cooled gases and to allow absorption of the necessary oxygen from the atmospheric air to cause combustion of the gas of burner (6). Attached to the inner surface of the outer tank is a reflector (9) covering entire inner surface of the tank above the platform (2). Flange (10) of the ocver (11) affords an air-tight joint, the cover attached only by friction to the tank. An inverted cone (12) attached to the cover (11) is for the purpose of forming a deflecting battle for the vulcanizing agent (dry atmospheric air). Upon cover is shown clamp (13), one of several which may be attached for clamping portions of inner tubes to the hot surface of the cover for vulcanizing repairs. Thermometer (14) attached to the cover, with mercury pot above a small hole in the cover, allows registering of the temperature contained within the pot. The upper cavity (17) of the pot is for accommodation of the articles to be vulcanized, while the lower cavity (18) is what may be termed a mixing chamber for the heated air.

in Fig. #2, section A-B, plan view of the platform (2), upon which are placed articles to be vulcanized, may be seen. Supporting flange of the legs (5) and supporting angle (19) of the legs are illustrated.

The channel (15) is for passage of the heated air from beneath into the vulcanizing cavity (17). In Fig. #3, plan view of the cover, location of the handles (16) and tube clamp (13) and thermometer (14) is shown.

Operation of the pot is in this manner, the cover (11) is removed and the articles to be vulcanized placed upon the platform (2) the cover replaced and the burner (6) lighted. The heat produced causes an induced draft of atmospheric air beneath the sides of the tank, and forced draft of hot air through theopening (7) of the bottom (8). The hot air forced through the opening strikes the point of the cone (3) and is deflected downward, forming a swirling motion and is then precipitated upward and downward hot air ascending and warm air descending.

Heated air naturally ascends to the highest point of a container. To secure a uniform temperature in the entire vulcanizing chamber (17), the top or cover of the vulcanizer is preferred unequipped with a vent, this causes the heated air upon reaching the top to be precipitated downward causing a swirling mass of hot and warm air, thereby attaining a uniform temperature at all heights of the chamber (17). Through poor draft or in cases where it is necessary to place the article to be vulcanized within. a cement or plaster cast containing water a small vent may be placed in the top or cover to allow escape of moisture or form a draft provided the vent is regulated to maintain the proper motion of the heated gases.

With but slight attention, the workman maintains suitable and uniform temperature by increasing and decreasing theflow of gas and referring to the thermometer (14:). To relieve the workman a thermostatic gas control may be attached to the burner.

An ordinary cure or vulcanizing process with the use of this potrequires but one hour and thirty minutes, including opening and closing of the pot. Simplicity of operation of this pot as against previously used steam pots, which require steam boiler, attention of an engineer and a mechanic for opening and closing, forms a great advantage in economical operation.

The vulcanizing temperature may range from 290 to 320 Fahrenheit and the period required to perform a cure or process of vulcanization will range from forty (40) minutes to one hour and thirty, (30) minutes.

Althoughthe shape and design of this vulcanizing pot is given as a vertical, circular tank of conical shape, desired results may be produced if the tank is constructed square, oblong or portional round, provided principals of illustrated cavity design are used. Also where the design of the tank is shown tobe of one piece with cover fitting upon extreme top, the tank may be made in sections, divided into halves, thirds, etc.', with the cover securely attached to the upper portion of the tank. Entire upper portion of the tank under this arrangement may be equipped and operated with a counter balance weight and tackle, that it may be raised overhead by a single mechanic. This plan would be unnecessary with construction of a small pot, but will be found advantageous in construction of pots for large manufacturing use. Whereas shape of the tank (1) is shown conical, converging toward the top in construction of a small pot sides of the tank may be entirely vertical. After setting up the; pot for operation it is advisable to cover the outer portionswith asbestos cement or some formof non-heat conducting insulating compound or substance to prevent loss of heat and to prevent overheating the space containing the pot.

Suggested material fO1 11S6,1I1 ,construc tion of the kettle is given specifically for which, as will be noted substitute material may be used to advantage under some 011-- cumstances. While it is suggested that the circular tank, cover and bottom be of sheet iron; concrete, clay and similar substitutes or other metalsmay be used in-their construction depending upon the locality in which manufacture occurs. For marketing purposessheet iron, would be preferable.

The reflector may be ofany bright refleeting metal or any reflecting substance such as bronze may be applied, to the inner surface of the outertank, the purpose of which is to reflectthe heat rays toward the center of cavity 1 (17 causing a uniform temperature 'atall times. H

The platform illustratedas of wood may be constructed of any non-heat conducting' material of sufiicient strength to support a weight of 300 pounds, 1 may be -con structed of iron or other metal insulated with covering composed ofasbestos or other non-heat conducting substance. V

While the cone (3) attached to the under surface of platform (2) may be constructed of any substantial material, it is recommended constructedof sheet iron, and may be filled with dry asbestos (4) or other nonheat conducting drysubstance. This filling is for the purposeof preventing conduction of heat from point of cone (3) to the platform (2). p

The legs (5) while recommended constructed as illustrated of wrought iron, may be constructed of any other material of sufficient strength to individually support a weight of 500 pounds.

Whereas burner (6) is recommended to be of illuminating gas type, oil fuel burner, or in barren localities a coal or WOOCl-SIIlOlClGI' fire located beneath the opening (7) of the tank bottom (8) willproduce the desired results. Electric coil heaters placed beneath the opening (7) or in cavity (18) will also produce the desired results if current may be obtained at a low rate.

'This vulcanizing pot while affording medium by which dry heated atmospheric air may be used inaccomplishing vulcanizing process of rubber and plastics, also affords improvement in vulcanizing pots as affects original cost and cost of operation. Manufactured from the recommended material, the cost of this type of vulcanizer as against cost of steam plants of any form, will amount to only one-tenth the cost of the most reasonable priced steam outfit. v In operation of this pot both in simplicity of opening and closing of the pot and in assembling the articles to be vulcanized and in the operation of the pot as pertains to the heat agent, is economy accomplished. The direct heat as against indirect heat of steam pots affords operation of this vulcanizing pot for one-tenth the cost of operation of steam pots.

Use of dry heated air as a vulcanizing agent affords the only vulcanizing process performing satisfactory work as affects retreading and rebuilding of old pneumatic tires in a single cure or vulcanizing process.

I am aware that prior to my invention pots for the purpose of vulcanizing rubber and plastics with steam generated by boiler and pots heated with electricity have been made. I, therefore, do not claim invention of the pot method of vulcanization; but:

I claim:

1. A method of vulcanizing which comprises confining the article to be vulcanized in a vulcanizing chamber and causing a current of air mixed with the hot gaseous products of combustion to pass into said chamber and contact with the article to effect the vulcanization thereof.

2. A method of vulcanizing which comprises burning a fuel, mixing the hot products of combustion with air and bringing said hot gaseous mixture into direct contact with the article to be vulcanized to effect the vulcanization thereof.

3. A method of vulcanizing which comprises confining the article to be vulcanized in a chamber having an opening in one wall thereof, heating the air adjacent said opening to cause a current of heated air to rise through said opening into said chamber and contact directly with the article to be vulcanized to effect the vulcanization thereof.

4. A method of vulcanizing which comprises confining the article to be vulcanized in a vulcanizing chamber having an interior surface having high heat reflecting characteristics, burning a fuel out of con tact with said article, uniformly mixing the hot gaseous products of combustion with air, and bringing the hot gaseous mixture uniformly into contact with said article to effect vulcanization thereof.

5. A method of vulcanizing rubber tires which comprises burning a fuel out of con tact with said tires, mixing the hot gaseous products of combustion with air, passing said hot gaseous mixture upwardly in a stream around said tires and thereafter defleeting said upward stream downwardly into direct contact with said tires.

6. A vulcanizing apparatus which comprises a burner, a mixing and combustion chamber, and a vulcanizing chamber adjacent said mixing chamber with an opening connectin said chambers.

7. A vii lcanizing apparatus comprising a vulcanizing chamber having a cover, and an inverted cone presenting a heat reflecting surface attached tothe inner side of said cover.

8. A. vulcanizing apparatus comprising a vulcanizing chamber having a cover, the inner surface of the side walls of said chamber having high heat reflecting characteristics, and a member attached to the inner side of said cover and extending downwardly to present a heat reflecting surface.

9. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising an upright vulcanizing pot having an opening in its bottom, a heater located beneath said opening, and a partition within said pot forming a support for the articles to be vulcanized and dividing said pot into an upper vulcanizing chamber and a lower mix ing chamber with an opening connecting said chambers to permit the hot gases to rise from the mixing chamber into the vulcanizing chamber.

10. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising an upright vulcanizing pot having an opening in its bottom, a heater located beneath said opening, a partition forming a support for the articles to be vulcanized and dividing said vulcanizing pot into an upper vulcanizing chamber and a lower mixing chamher with an opening connecting said chambers, and heat insulating material on the under side of said partition.

11. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising an upright vulcanizing pot having an openingin its bottom, a heater located beneath said opening, and a partition forming a support for the articles to be vulcanized and dividing said vulcanizing pot into an upper vulcanizing chamber and a lower mixing chamber with an opening connecting said chambers, the side walls of said vulcanizing chamber having an interior surface having high heat reflecting and poor heat conducting characteristics.

12 An apparatus for vulcanizing which comprises an upright vulcanizing pot, a partition dividing said vulcanizing pot into a mixing chamber and a vulcanizing chamber with an opening connecting said chambers, said partition being insulated to prevent the substantial direct transfer of heat therethrough from said mixing chamber to said vulcanizing chamber, and means for burning fuel and mixing the hot products of combustion with air in said mixing chamber.

JOHN GRESWELL YOUNG. 

